About Macromedia Flash Player
Macromedia Flash Player is free software that lets you view web content created by Macromedia Flash. This content may be interactive content such as menus that slide, or may be complex programs like games and movies. Many web browsers (Internet Explorer, for example) install Macromedia Flash Player automatically, but you may need to upgrade it from time to time as Macromedia makes improvements and as websites you visit update their content. For answers to the most frequently asked questions about Macromedia Flash Player, please refer to the Macromedia Flash Player FAQ.
Why am I being asked to download Macromedia Flash Player?
Web sites that use Macromedia Flash content require the Macromedia Flash Player. A message asking you to download Macromedia Flash Player then comes from either the web site you are viewing or from your browser.
Most browsers come installed with Macromedia Flash Player, so you may already have a previous version of Macromedia Flash Player installed. You may still need to update to the latest version if the web site contains features that require a newer version. For best results, download and install the latest version from Macromedia Flash Player Download Center.
If your browser is Microsoft's Internet Explorer you will get a window asking you to download the Macromedia Flash Player if there is a Flash Movie object on the page. This message is a default feature of the Windows version of Microsoft Internet Explorer called "Install on Demand". If you wish to not see the window in the future you have three options:
When prompted, choose "Yes" and install the Macromedia Flash Player.
Navigate to the non-Flash version of the site, or choose a different web site without Flash content.
Disable the Microsoft Install on Demand feature in your browser. For more information on how to do this, please see the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 222639.
How to get Macromedia Flash Player
Download and install Flash Player from the Macromedia Flash Player Download Center.
Refer to Macromedia Web Player Alternates to download Macromedia Flash Player for any available platform.
How to remove Flash Player from your computer:
Download the Macromedia Flash Player Uninstaller:
Flash Player 8 and previous uninstallers
Windows: uninstall_flash_player.exe (182K)
Mac OS X: uninstall_flash_player_osx.dmg (278K)
Flash Player Archived uninstallers
Mac OS 8.x, 9.x: uninstall_flash_player.hqx (33K)
Save the file to your system, choosing a location where you can find it (for example, your Desktop). Macintosh users may need to open or unstuff the hqx file.
Close your browser completely.
Run the uninstaller. This will uninstall Macromedia Flash Player from all browsers on the system.
Note: If you browse to a web site that contains Flash content after you have removed Macromedia Flash Player, you may be prompted again to download and install Macromedia Flash Player in order to view the web site.
System Requirements, including supported browsers
In order to install and use Macromedia Flash Player successfully, your particular hardware, operating system, and browser combination must meet system requirements. View the "Playback" section of System Requirements for a list of supported configurations.
For information about Flash Player for AOL on Macintosh, refer to Flash Player for browsers other than Netscape and Internet Explorer
Macintosh OS earlier than System 8.6
Macintosh OS earlier than System 8.6
Macromedia Flash Player supports Macintosh OS 8.6 or later. Users of previous operating systems may visit Apple's Web site to view available operating system updates.
Macromedia Flash Player 5 did support earlier versions of Mac OS. Refer to How to get previous versions of Macromedia Flash Player for information on obtaining an earlier version, as well as important support information.
Browsers other than Netscape and Internet Explorer (Opera, AOL ...)
Browsers that Macromedia officially supports are listed in System Requirements. Many other browsers provide support for Netscape and Internet Explorer plug-ins and ActiveX controls. Usually, the Flash Player can be installed in these browsers in the same manner as with Netscape and Internet Explorer. Although support for functionality depends on the browser, users can usually successfully install Macromedia Flash Player directly from Macromedia Flash Player Download Center. Refer to your browser manufacturer's Web site for details or assistance.
Due to the architecture of the browser, current versions of AOL browser for Macintosh do not currently support Macromedia Flash Player 6. AOL on Macintosh may have Flash Player 5 installed, but this cannot currently be updated. These AOL users can view Flash 6 content by first connecting to the internet via AOL, then viewing web pages using a different web browser. For best results, choose a browser listed in System Requirements, then obtain the newest player from Macromedia Flash Player Download Center. If you do try to view a web site that requires Flash Player 6 while using AOL on Macintosh, the web site may prompt you to download Macromedia Flash Player 6, however, this player is not currently available for that particular browser and will not function.
The difference between Macromedia Flash and Shockwave Players
Macromedia Shockwave and Flash Players are both free Web players from Macromedia.
Macromedia Flash Player is used to play back applications created with Macromedia Flash. Macromedia Shockwave Player is used to play back applications created with Macromedia Director Shockwave Studio. These two players are different pieces of software used for viewing different file types. Your browser will automatically load or prompt you to download the appropriate player when required.
Licensing Macromedia Flash Player
Learn more about the Macromedia Flash Player distribution agreements, SWF file format, and Flash Player source code specifications at Macromedia Flash Player Licensing.
Refer to Macromedia Flash and Shockwave Player Licensing FAQ for support and other information.
How to get previous versions of Macromedia Flash Player
Macromedia supports and recommends the latest Macromedia Flash Player.
If you are a Flash developer and require a previous version of Macromedia Flash Player for testing detection schemes, refer to Archived Macromedia Flash Players available for testing purposes (TechNote tn_14266).
Macromedia has made these archived players available for download at the request of the Flash developer community. Macromedia Technical Support does not provide support for the installation or use of these old players. These are not intended for general use.
Try this first: How to fix almost all Macromedia Flash Player issues
A version of Macromedia Flash Player is pre-installed with most popular Internet browsers. Sometimes, problems with a Flash Player that's already installed can prevent your upgrading to the latest player. You can resolve almost all difficulties by taking the following steps:
Check System Requirements to ensure your configuration is supported.
Make sure you have the latest version of your Internet browser. Installing a new browser can often repair issues with browser installations, and newer browsers may also offer improved security.
Note to Netscape 6 users: Macromedia recommends updating to at least version 6.2 or higher. Though Netscape 4.x is supported, Netscape 6.1 and 6.0 are not supported.
You can check for available versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator/Communicator, and America Online at their Web sites:
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Netscape Navigator
America Online
Download the desired browser installer to your desktop, but don't run the installer yet.
Uninstall Flash Player (see How to remove Flash Player from your computer above).
Restart your computer.
If you downloaded an installer for your Web browser in Step 1, run that installer now and follow its instructions. Restart again if prompted.
Finally, download and install the Flash Player from the Macromedia Flash Player Download Center.
If you still have problems, move on to Trouble with Windows Installation or Trouble with Macintosh Installation.
I am a Flash Developer and need assistance
Developers may encounter common issues during testing and authoring. Developers are encouraged to try suggestions listed in this document first. Please refer also to Macromedia Flash Player FAQ, and Macromedia Flash Player Support Center to look for answers to common questions.
Next, search for information about your issue on Macromedia Flash Support Center. TechNotes here contain information for developers about both Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Flash Player.
If you still need assistance, Macromedia offers a wide range of support options for developers. Refer to Macromedia Support Programs to see what is available.
Note: Macromedia recommends using one of these above resources, such as searching the Support Center, posting in the online forums, or taking advantage of one of the other support options for the Macromedia Flash authoring tool. These resources are geared toward the needs of developers.
Trouble with Windows installation
If you have trouble with installation of Macromedia Flash Player, follow the below troubleshooting steps. If one step does not correct the problem, move onto the next step. For optimal troubleshooting, after each step, restart your machine, and Test Macromedia Flash Player before moving onto the next step.
Restart. In some situations, Windows or Internet Explorer needs to be restarted in order to complete an update. Restart your machine, and Test Macromedia Flash Player before moving to Step 2.
Reinstall. Many issues are related to a problem with a previous installation of Flash Player or to browser configuration. Refer to the steps in Try this first: How to fix almost all Flash Player issues. Move to Step 3 of this section if problems persist.
Repair the browser. The next most common cause of problems is an error with the browser. Often a browser upgrade or any changes to the browser may require a browser repair and reinstallation of Flash Player.
To repair Internet Explorer: Open Start>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs. Choose the browser from the list of programs, click Change/Remove, and choose the Repair option. Restart after repairing the browser, and follow steps in Try this first: How to fix almost all Flash Player issues to reinstall Flash Player again. If Internet Explorer does not appear on the Add/Remove list, Repair is not an option, and you should move onto the next step.
Other browsers: Follow the above steps to see if your browser has a "Repair" option, and if it does, repair it. If your browser (such as Netscape) does not have a Repair option, you must reinstall the browser in order to repair it. Try Steps 4 through 7 first before moving onto Step 8, to reinstall the browser.
Security level: Your Internet Explorer security level may be set to High or a custom level which does not allow viewing of ActiveX controls.
To view your Security level, from within Internet Explorer, choose Tools>Internet Options, and in the Security tab, choose Internet.
Though your browser security settings should be chosen by you or your system administrator, the 'Medium: Default Level' will allow you to view Macromedia Flash content. For any Custom Level, ensure that both "Download Signed ActiveX controls" and "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins" are not Disabled. (Enable or Prompt will work).
Permissions: Your permissions may not allow you to install ActiveX controls or plug-ins. If this is a possibility, refer to Permissions can affect installing Macromedia Flash Player for more information.
Download the Standalone installer for either Internet Explorer, or for Netscape-compatible browsers. This can help resolve most other download or installation issues. For best results, download the installer to your desktop, and close the browser before running the installer.
Update your video drivers. This step is especially important if you experience a freeze or crash when installing or using Flash Player. Right-click on your Desktop and choose Properties, Settings, Advanced , and Adapter to view the manufacturer's name. Refer to the manufacturer's web site to download drivers or for assistance with installing the latest drivers.
Reinstall the browser. Download and install the latest version from your browser manufacturer's Web site. Download and install the latest Flash Player from the Macromedia Flash Player Download Center.
Trouble with Macintosh Installation
If you have trouble with installation of Flash Player, follow the below troubleshooting steps. If one step does not correct the problem, move onto the next step. For optimal troubleshooting, after each step, restart your machine, and Test Macromedia Flash Player before moving onto the next step.
Reinstall. Many issues are related to a problem with a previous installation of Flash Player or to browser configuration. Refer to the steps in Try this first: How to fix almost all Flash Player issues. Move to Step 2 of this section if problems persist. Be sure to check System Requirements.
Software Update: On Macintosh OS X, if using Internet Explorer you may need to do a software update. Run your machine's Software Update from System Preferences, restart, and check for further updates. Repeat until no further updates are available. Finally, download and install the latest Flash Player from the Macromedia Flash Player Download Center.
Permissions: Your permissions may not allow you to install plug-ins. If this is a possibility, refer to Permissions can affect installing Macromedia Flash Player for more information.
Download the Standalone installer for either Internet Explorer or Netscape-compatible browsers for Mac OSX, or for the Mac Classic OS. This can help resolve most other download or installation issues. For best results, download the installer to your desktop, and close the browser before running the installer.
Reinstall the browser. Download and install the latest version from your browser manufacturer's Web site. Download and install the latest Flash Player from the Macromedia Flash Player Download Center.
Test Macromedia Flash Player
Test Macromedia Flash Player at Macromedia Flash Player Download Center. If the animation plays, it is installed successfully. Hold your mouse cursor over "About" to display the version. The latest version is:
8,0,24,0 for Windows and Macintosh OS X
7,0,63,0 for Macintosh Classic OS
7,0,63,0 for Linux
If your Flash Player passes this test, the problem may actually be due to Trouble with a particular Web site.
After updating, I still get prompted to update or the previous version is still installed
You may need to restart your browser or machine to complete the update. Close the entire browser completely, then Test Macromedia Flash Player. If this does not work correctly, restart the machine and test again. If you still have problems, move on to Trouble with Windows Installation or Trouble with Macintosh Installation.
Improving performance
Typically, a faster computer will play Flash content faster. A fast connection to the Internet will enable Flash content to be downloaded to your computer more quickly. For best performance, close all other applications other than your Web browser while viewing Flash content. Also, increase the amount of cache allocated to your browser to 10 MB. Macintosh users should increase the amount of system memory allocated to the Web browser to at least 20 MB.
Performance of Flash content on a particular web site is also affected by the way it was created. A well-optimized web site may perform better than others, and changing this may be beyond your control. For more information, refer to Trouble with a particular Web site.
Permissions can affect installing Macromedia Flash Player
If you don't have administrator access to your Windows NT- or Windows 2000-equipped computer, you may not be able to install the Flash Player successfully. Permissions can be tricky but, in general, you should be able to install and use the Macromedia Flash Player if your system administrator gives you full access to the Macromed directory (C:Winnt\System32\Macromed\).
Macintosh OS X users must also have proper access in order to run Flash Player on Netscape 6. If you have trouble and are using this configuration, for details, refer to Netscape 6.2 has problems utilizing the Macromedia Flash Player 6 plug-in on OS X (TechNote 16214).
If you cannot resolve the problem yourself, your system administrator may need to experiment with varying levels of access to determine what works.
After installing, why does Windows sometimes prompt to restart?
When upgrading to Flash Player 8 you only will need to restart the browser window that you want to view Flash content in. For Flash Player 7 and below when upgrading the Flash Player for Windows in Internet Explorer, you are advised that "You must restart your computer before the new settings will take effect."
Windows 2000 and later will not allow any ActiveX control to be replaced when in use. Macromedia Flash Player for Windows Internet Explorer is an ActiveX control. If Windows considers the ActiveX control to be in use, you will receive the above message.
Generally, you need to only exit and re-launch Internet Explorer. If this message persists, restart your computer.
Trouble with a particular Web site
Always verify if problems are not actually due to problems with your Flash Player, but possibly only occurring with one particular web site. Try viewing other Macromedia Flash content (for example, Macromedia.)
Many developers create detection schemes to determine if viewers have Macromedia Flash Player installed. If there is an error in the detection scheme, you may be advised that you need to update or install Macromedia Flash Player even if you already have the latest version installed and working properly. This problem with detection is beyond your control, and can only be addressed by the creator of the web site. Contact their web master for assistance.
Some performance issues are related to the way content is created. A well-optimized web site may perform better than others. These differences in performance are beyond your control, and can only be addressed by the creator of the web site. Contact their web master for assistance.
Security warning dialog box
Security warnings are provided by your own browser based on security settings made in the browser's preferences. Warnings such as these are typical with any browser plug-in when these security settings are enabled. For details, refer to What is this security warning I see when viewing Web sites? (TechNote tn_15971).
About Macromedia Flash Player Security
Security is one of our highest priorities. Refer to Macromedia's Security Zone for security bulletins and information regarding security and Macromedia products, including Flash Player. For information on the Security Features of the Macromedia Flash Player please visit our Flash Player Privacy and Security Center.
How to create Flash content
Flash content is created with Macromedia Flash. You can learn more about this application - and download a FREE trial version - at the Macromedia Flash Web site.
I still have more questions!
Most Flash Player issues are resolved using information in this document. Be sure to read this document thoroughly, and try all suggested troubleshooting steps.
Most information about Macromedia Flash Player is available in Macromedia Flash Player FAQ. If your questions are not answered in this TechNote, try looking there for answers. Additional information is also available from Macromedia Flash Player Support Center.
After checking the above resources, if you still have more questions, please contact us.
Note: Support is provided via e-mail only.
Macromedia Flash Developers: For best results, contact Macromedia for assistance geared toward developers: refer to I am a Flash developer and need assistance.
More complete product information and resources are also available from the Macromedia Flash Player main page.
Last updated: 2006-3-14
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